A Yell County man who was issued a $250,000 bond April 18 for allegedly selling large quantities of methamphetamine saw his bond reduced to $100,000 Wednesday, along with additional stipulations that will put him under his parents’ control.

Phillip Dixon, 32, was arrested April 16 and is charged with selling in excess of 40 grams of methamphetamine within the last six months to a confidential informant working with the Arkansas State Police (ASP) and the Fifth Judicial Drug Task Force, according to testimony by ASP Narcotics Investigator Tony Haley at Dixon’s April 18 bond hearing. Dixon and Krystal Journigan — a 26-year-old woman who was a federal fugitive for failing to meet probationary requirements — were arrested after the vehicle they were both riding in was pulled over by police in Pope County.

“We believe the ($250,000) bond is excessive when you look at the rules of criminal procedure,” said Hugh R. Laws, a Russellville-based attorney representing Dixon. “Obviously the court considers the seriousness of the charge ... but he is a first offender and he has no prior felony convictions.”

Laws requested to District Judge Don Bourne that he lower the bond to $25,000, saying Dixon is not a flight risk and his parents will maintain authority over him. Laws said bond is not meant to be used as a pre-trial punishment, and more serious crimes have received less bonds.

“I think it’s to the point of being so excessive that it’s punishing in pre-trial, and that’s not the point of the bond,” he said.

Per conditions associated with the lowered bond, Dixon is required to live with his parents, who own Dixon Poultry in Russellville; abide by a 10 p.m. curfew; stay in Arkansas and out of Pulaski County, where many of his alleged drug deals are believed to have taken place; maintain a recorded employment with his parents; and is required to admit himself into Decision Point Inc., a nonprofit alcohol and drug recovery center with locations in Northwest Arkansas.

Dixon is required to stay in rehab for 28 days, as well as follow all recommendations made by the rehab facility. If Dixon fails to abide by any of the stipulations, his parents will have the authority to revoke his bond.

Dixon will also be subject to drug testing, the location and times of which are still to be determined by Laws and prosecutors.

Prosecutor Liza Brown, who requested Dixon’s bond be set at $500,000 at his original hearing, argued with Laws’ defense, saying Haley’s testimony that Dixon is believed to be part of a 50-pound drug ring in the state is sufficient reason for a high bond.

“Dixon is charged with selling over 40 grams of methamphetamine. That is not a small amount, and by his own admission, he’s selling over a pound of meth a month. Those are things you have to consider, as well as whether or not he’s going to show up to [his May 21 court date],” Brown said.

Brown added the conditions of the lowered bond — such as being required to stay in Arkansas and be subject to drug testing — may have little effect on Dixon as most of his alleged deals take place in Arkansas and he’s charged with dealing drugs, not using them.

“He’s not a small dealer. He’s probably one of the largest drug dealers this town has seen,” she said. “A drug dealer is not synonymous with a drug user.”

According to Haley’s testimony, Dixon has been under federal investigation for more than 10 years and is believed to have sold in excess of 50 or 60 pounds of methamphetamine in a multi-county area. He is believed to have been selling more than a pound of methamphetamine each month, Haley said.

Dixon faces charges of delivery and possession of methamphetamine, as well as possession of drug paraphernalia after officers found a loaded syringe in Dixon’s vehicle during a traffic stop.

If convicted, the felonies could carry sentences of 10-40 years, or life in prison.

Dixon’s arraignment is scheduled for May 21. If he is in rehab and unable to attend the arraignment, Laws said he will appear to represent him.

Does anyone even realize the horrendous amount of meth that is in Russellville alone and the same people are distributing and getting away with it. I have kids in that town and nieces and it makes me so angry that it is so corrupt with drugs and the only explanation is the police department or someone has a hand in the cookie jar, or whatever you want to call it.